Unhas and Chinese Universities Strengthen 'Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih' Programme

Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, is collaborating with China’s Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU) and Guangdong Ocean University (GDOU) to strengthen the national Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih (KNMP) programme. Unhas Rector Prof Dr Jamaluddin Jompa stated that the collaboration focuses on building a science-based innovation ecosystem that directly impacts the sustainability and welfare of coastal communities. This programme is integrated with the KNMP agenda, which aims to improve the welfare of coastal communities by producing academic and applicable approaches. The integration is expected to increase fishery productivity, strengthen coastal community empowerment, and encourage marine-based economic growth. SHOU Vice President Prof Weijie Ni viewed Unhas as a strategic partner in Asia, with significant potential to strengthen joint research while opening up broader academic mobility opportunities. This synergy is believed to generate marine technology innovations that are not only regionally relevant but also contribute to global issues. A key focus of the collaboration is the development of a marine ranching concept that integrates the three pillars of higher education—education, research, and community service—into a single collaborative ecosystem.